Healthcare (Hospitals)

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 494: Maryland Health Care Commission - Certificates of Need and Material Change Transactions

SB 494 modifies Maryland's health care certificate of need rules by repealing an exemption that previously allowed certain hospital mergers to bypass review. It requires health care providers (including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and hospices) to notify the Maryland Health Care Commission and the public before making "material change transactions" like major mergers or ownership shifts exceeding 25% of a facility. The bill establishes a public interest review process with specific criteria to evaluate such transactions, mandates the Commission to act on approvals or denials within a set timeframe, and updates related statutes to reflect these changes. This directly affects health care entities seeking to merge or restructure services within the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals exemption for hospital mergers, requiring public review of material changes to protect public interest in healthcare transactions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 17, 2026

HB 1597: Health - Unregulated Space in Hospital Operating Suites - Pilot Project

HB 1597 establishes a 3-year pilot project (2026-2029) allowing up to five Maryland hospitals to create unregulated operating room space within regulated facilities. Participating hospitals must follow specific criteria: maintain charity care, charge comparable rates to regulated services, reduce costs for Medicaid/Medicare, and avoid duplicating services in regulated spaces. The Health Services Cost Review Commission administers the pilot, requires annual reports on procedures, costs, and impacts on healthcare efficiency, and mandates data sharing from associated surgical centers. This directly affects participating hospitals, patients using unregulated space, and payers (including Medicaid/Medicare), with no changes to existing regulated hospital services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces costs for Medicaid/Medicare while maintaining charity care and avoiding duplication, improving access and affordability within healthcare delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Medicare

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passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 515: Health Services Cost Review Commission - Health Facilities - Rate Setting

SB 515 requires Maryland's Health Services Cost Review Commission to consider all operational costs incurred by health facilities - including expenses for physicians and other providers without corresponding billing revenue - when setting hospital rates. This affects hospitals and health facilities operating under Maryland's all-payer model, as the Commission must now factor in full costs during rate reviews. The bill amends existing law to mandate that the Commission evaluate facility financial health and certify rates based on complete cost accounting, rather than excluding certain expenses. This change ensures rates more accurately reflect actual facility operations, including costs for professional services that previously weren't fully counted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Commission to include all operational costs (including physician expenses) in hospital rate setting, ensuring facilities cover full costs without service reductions, strengthening sustainable healthcare funding under Maryland's all-payer ...85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1409: Gaming - Problem Gambling - Prevalence Study and Fund Revenue

HB 1409 requires Maryland's Department of Health to conduct studies measuring problem and pathological gambling rates for both in-person and mobile gambling, with the mobile gambling study due by July 2031. The bill redirects 1% of proceeds from fantasy sports competitions and 1% of sports wagering revenue to the Problem Gambling Fund, altering prior distribution rules that directed most funds to education. These funds will support treatment and prevention services for problem gamblers, including inpatient care, outpatient services, and educational programs. The legislation amends Maryland law to mandate these studies and fund allocations, directly affecting the Department of Health and the Problem Gambling Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 1% of gambling revenue to Problem Gambling Fund for treatment services, advancing public health funding instead of prior education allocation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects gambling revenue to fund problem gambling treatment/prevention services, directly supporting mental health care under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 1136: Nonprofit Hospitals - Community Benefits

HB 1136 requires most nonprofit hospitals in Maryland to provide annual community benefits equal to either 100% of their tax-exempt value or 5% of net patient revenue (if charity care meets a 4% minimum). Hospitals must report their compliance to the Health Services Cost Review Commission within 120 days after their fiscal year ends. Starting in 2028, the Commission will annually report non-compliant hospitals to the Attorney General and Comptroller, who can revoke a hospital’s tax-exempt status for the next tax year if it fails to meet requirements. Hospitals may correct unintentional errors by providing the missing benefits. This applies to all nonprofit hospitals except those in counties with fewer than 50,000 residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires nonprofit hospitals to meet community benefit thresholds tied to tax-exempt status, closing a loophole and promoting fiscal responsibility in tax policy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates nonprofit hospitals to provide community benefits and maintain 4% charity care minimum, expanding access to healthcare services for underserved populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Hospitals

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1376: Maryland Medical Assistance Program, Maryland Children's Health Program, and Health Insurance - Transfers to Special Pediatric Hospitals - Requirements

HB 1376 requires Maryland's Medicaid (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and Children's Health Program to provide a review within 3 business days for transfer requests to special pediatric hospitals when requested by the hospital or referring provider. It mandates retrospective reviews if a transfer is denied as "not medically necessary," with providers reimbursed for "administrative days" (days a patient remains without transfer) during the review process. The bill directly affects special pediatric hospitals - facilities serving children under 22 or those 2+ years old with co-occurring physical/behavioral health conditions - and their referring providers. Key provisions include eliminating prior authorization requirements for transfers while establishing strict timelines and reimbursement for administrative delays during appeals. This bill updates existing Medicaid and insurance rules to streamline transfers to specialized pediatric care facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates timely reviews and reimbursement for delays in pediatric hospital transfers within Medicaid programs, improving access to specialized care and protecting patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals Medicaid

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 832: Nonprofit Hospitals - Community Benefits

SB 832 requires most nonprofit hospitals in Maryland to provide annual community benefits equal to either 100% of their tax-exempt value or 5% of their net patient revenue (with at least 4% in charity care). Hospitals must file annual reports detailing these benefits to the Health Services Cost Review Commission within 120 days of their fiscal year-end. The Commission then reports annually to the Attorney General and Comptroller by December 1, including compliance status and financial details. If a hospital fails to meet the requirements, the Comptroller may revoke its tax-exempt status for the following year, though hospitals can correct unintentional errors to avoid this. The bill excludes hospitals in counties with populations under 50,000.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires tax-exempt hospitals to provide community benefits, promoting fiscal responsibility in tax exemption use.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 4% charity care minimum, expanding access for underserved populations through hospital community benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Hospitals

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1051: Public Health - Patient Access to Medication

HB 1051 creates Maryland’s "Meds-to-Beds Program," requiring all state hospitals to partner with licensed pharmacists who deliver discharge medications to patients *before* they leave the hospital, aiming to reduce readmissions. It also expands insurance coverage for telehealth to include automated drug dispensing systems and remote dispensing systems, allowing pharmacies to outsource prescription processing under specific conditions. The bill directly affects hospitals (mandated to participate), pharmacists (who deliver medications), and patients (who receive timely discharge drugs). Key changes include updating telehealth definitions in insurance law and establishing new regulations for medication access systems.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands insurance coverage for telehealth drug systems and mandates pre-discharge medication delivery to improve patient access and reduce hospital readmissions.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill expands insurance coverage for telehealth and automated drug dispensing systems, promoting technology use in healthcare access and reducing barriers to digital health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Telehealth

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1181: Family Law - Children in Out-of-Home Placement - Voluntary Placement Agreements

HB 1181 amends Maryland's Family Law to streamline voluntary placement agreements for children with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses in out-of-home care. The bill requires local departments to schedule an assessment meeting with families and providers within 5 business days of receiving a request, and issue a written eligibility decision within another 5 business days. It clarifies that local departments cannot seek legal custody solely to obtain treatment for these children, while allowing placements to exceed 180 days if a juvenile court finds continued placement is in the child's best interest. These changes aim to reduce current delays (often 60-90 days) that contribute to extended hospital stays and family distress.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines mental health access for children with disabilities by requiring timely assessments and preventing custody barriers for treatment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 561: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Community Violence Prevention Services - Reimbursement and Provision of Services

SB 561 updates Maryland's Medical Assistance Program to require reimbursement for community violence prevention services provided in-person, regardless of where the services occur. It explicitly allows telehealth delivery (including audio-only calls) without denying coverage, and prohibits requiring service providers to maintain hospital affiliations. The bill defines "community violence" as non-family interpersonal violence in public spaces and specifies that services must be evidence-based, trauma-informed, and non-psychotherapeutic. It directly affects certified violence prevention professionals, service providers, and program recipients exposed to or injured by community violence. The policy change ensures consistent coverage for these services whether delivered in-person or via telehealth.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds evidence-based community violence prevention services, a key criminal justice reform strategy to reduce violence and recidivism through proactive community support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires reimbursement for community violence prevention services under Medical Assistance Program, expanding coverage and access to evidence-based healthcare services without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Telehealth

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